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Calderhead Erskine Parish Church, serving Shotts and Allanton
NEWSLETTER Letter from the Minister
[email protected]; tel: 01555-773891(Home)or 07887-595498
20th June 2020
UPDATE ON PROGRESS & “NOTES TO SELF”
Dear Friends,
Announcements of medical advances, containment of the spread of COVID-19, fewer deaths and a move to Phase 2
with some easing of lockdown restrictions by the Scottish Government have all been welcome. In my own personal
situation, hugs with my 3 grandchildren and daughter, and overnight sleep-overs at my home, are now a happy bonus.
It is disappointing that we will not yet be opening the church buildings so we can meet again together in worship. The
latest Scottish Government guidelines permit us to open our church buildings, only for individual private prayer, not
for any shared prayer, worship or meeting up; and only if with strict social distancing supervised and stewarded; and
stringent hygiene and sanitising requirements to wipe and clean every surface touched; . At this stage, it is not practi-
cable to do this and comply with some 45 pages worth of official requirements.
But we are planning and preparing for whenever further easing of restrictions would allow us safely to meet together
for some communal worship, weddings and funerals. I suspect that some form of open-air outdoor services at Allan-
ton and Shotts, with people inside cars or outside on the grass, standing or seated on your own seats or rugs may come
before congregations - still with strict safety conditions - may come together inside the buildings.
But the good news is that Christ’s Church has never been any one building or institution but “living stones” - ordinary
flawed followers of Jesus, people wherever we are, being shaped by God’s grace as well as by our local communities.
We are finding new ways to communicate with each other, worship and reach out to care and share. In this period of
lockdown, forced inactivity and isolation, a lot has been happening and I have been made aware of God’s presence
and loving kindness at work.
Note to self
I read of a playwright who had written “a note to his post-lockdown self” along with compositions from his friends, all
sealed in an envelope, to be opened and shared in a year’s time. What a great idea! To remind – him – and us, if we
choose to do likewise – of what life was like in lockdown; what we’ve missed, what we’ve welcomed, and what we’ve
learned about how to live, beyond it. All after the initial shock of seeing empty shelves - no milk, no eggs, no bread,
no toilet rolls, soap or cleaning products. Note to self: be grateful for the plenty I take for granted, and think of my
relationship with food and where it’s come from. Church buildings closed, working from home or not all, quiet streets,
time for the garden, no human company (in the flesh), the sound of birds, the boost of receiving a phone call or e-mail
or letter from someone who cares. How I have coped with inactivity and less busyness and more time to think and to
pray? The importance of people, of keeping in touch, and of quiet space. Note to self: if there is a return to a new nor-
mal, don’t forget these things I’ve noticing and learning.
Perhaps, you too can use a private diary, journal or notebook for yourself.
But it would also be good if some of you would share some of such notes and thoughts, maybe for the website or for
the Church’s Community Newsletter. Or give me or your elder a phone or e-mail if you would like prayer for you, or
someone, or a situation, or just would appreciate a chat. And please give us feedback and let us know also, some of the
good things, tips, suggestions and encouragements you have experienced and your hopes for the local church and for
the community, now, and as we go forward.
Your servant in Christ,
Iain
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couple of weeks, we have established a Social Me-
dia Group which is looking at how we might use
social media in the future: this covering existing
services, but also considering new ones such as a
church-wide WhatsApp Group and a YouTube
channel. We’d love you to get involved!
Please tell us what you think - e.g. which services
should we use: which ones do you use most? All
views are welcome. You can leave a message using
“Contact Us” on the church website, or drop an
email to George Scott. Leave a number if you pre-
fer and someone will call you back!
We also need volunteers who have experience of
setting up and running social media services. If you
know of someone, please get in touch.
#GettingThere!
From George Scott
Do you use social media, perhaps to
keep in touch with family, or to moni-
tor ‘goings on’ in the world? There’s
no doubt that social media is here to
stay and, in most cases, it is much eas-
ier to use than people might think. If
you have a Smartphone and access to
the Internet, you can select your social
media service of choice and be commu-
nicating with neighbours, family, or
someone on the opposite side of the
world in minutes!
Did you know that the church is on
both Facebook and Twitter - this in ad-
dition to the new website which
launched in March. We also have a
couple of WhatsApp Groups for spe-
cific teams (including the team that
produced this newsletter!). In the last
Our new on-line GoFundMe Project
Our small Covid Response Group from Calderhead-Erskine Church (Shotts and Allanton) are asking for your help to allow us to provide increased support to our local community during these difficult times. Our aim is to deliver essential items and small gifts e.g. home baking, magazines, hug cards etc, to vulner-able and shielding people within our area as well as supporting local care initiatives. We very much hope that these small acts of kindness will help people remember that they are not alone. Every pound counts and all donations will be greatly appreciated. For our church members, donations should be considered separate to your normal church giving.
We will publish regular updates on how your donations have made a difference via our Fund page.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cepc-covid-response-fund
"Lets make kindness contagious".
From Nancy Ralston
For contact numbers see page 5
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Let’s start with Allanton...
We are grateful to ASDA, Newmains for their continued support to the church community Café We were able to support the elderly in lockdown with a food parcel with remaining items being sent to Pauls Parcels, We have since had another delivery and we are now looking to support anyone in difficulty with a food parcel, we have a stock of goods in the church so please let any elder know of anyone needing our support’
As lockdown is extended the Cafe is supporting the delivery of a small gift to our shielded members who attend church faithfully and are missing their church, and to others in the community also Isolated and alone. We have been supported in producing our newsletters by the charity Faith in the Community based in Glasgow whose vision is to extend Christianity into the com-munity . We have been busy preparing for that great day when can all share worship together again. The church has purchased lots of items that will allow us to fully comply with Government and Church of Scotland Guidance. From Archie McGowan
The Book Club
Who doesn’t want to escape
Lockdown for just a few hours?
Well, one of the ways we can is
through the pages of a good
book.
This is a reminder that our
church now has a catalogue of
books (thanks to Archie
McGowan) available for you to
borrow.
Simply contact Margaret Byrne
Remember, too, you can do-
nate books, but monetary do-
nations can only be accepted
after Lockdown.
From Margaret Byrne
Shotts Women@ Guild
After the success of the women’s guild coffee morning in March, the ladies of the
guild, most of whom are shielding, have been spending the lockdown like the
majority of us cooking, baking, phoning loved ones and friends and gardening.
The ladies have been keeping in touch with one another by telephone (mostly) to
ensure everyone is keeping healthy and have all the essentials, truly following
the motto of the guild "Whose I am, and Whom I serve'.
Stay safe.
From The Women’s Guild. (sent by Heather Connelly)
Paul’s Parcels Update
A massive thank you to all who made donations to our Paul’s Parcels initiative, the response was fantastic. Your donations have helped provide over 30 fami-lies in the Shotts area with healthy meals. We would like to continue support-ing this local charity going forward and another planned collection will be made on Saturday 4th July. If you can donate any items, please call Heather Scott (if no answer please leave a message with your name and number)a few
days before to arrange collection time. (from Heather Scott) For Contact Numbers see page 5
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Christian Aid Week 2020 was a week like no other. Coronavirus locked down the country and suspended our plans for the usual Hunger Lunch and door-to-door collections. We feared for our global neighbours, but while coronavirus impacts us all, love unites us all. Thank you to those who handed in donations to the office of our Church Treasurer. We hope to add to the money already gathered and donations may be handed in at any time. Please consider donating if you have enjoyed completing this year’s Christian
Aid Quiz, the answers to which may be found at the end of this newsletter.
All your gifts will help families around the world to overcome poverty and injustice, wherever the need
is greatest.
Thank you.
(from June Williams)
Christian aid
It has been widely reported that the Covid-19 crisis will
leave an indelible mark on the world for all time. In the
early part of this year, who could have foreseen empty
city streets, who had even heard of social distancing, and
who could have imagined the huge increase in people
showing and interest in faith, and in some cases re-
evaluating their relationship with God after a long time.
We pray that the love, care and compassion so evident in
the many stories on TV and in the press over the last few
months, are here to stay, and that the world will emerge a
better place.
Our own church is also taking this opportunity to recon-
sider all aspects of how we operate as we emerge from
this period. Already, many ideas are emerging that relate
to matters such as worship services, how we relate to one
another, and our place in the communities of Shotts and
Allanton. We know there are many aspects that should
continue as they have and which are at the heart of our
mission as followers of Christ, but we also recognise that
some things must stop, while others need a fresh approach
to get started.
We’re interested in what you think. It doesn’t matter
whether you have been a regular attendee at worship ser-
vices, you haven’t been for a while, or you’ve never been
in a church in your life! What do you want to see from
your church? What do you want to feel and, most impor-
tantly, what is it that might encourage you to connect with
us (or connect again)?
Please contact us via the website, or get in touch with one
of the people below. If you express a wish for anonymity,
your name will go no further than the person you email or
speak to. We’d love to hear from you - please share your
thoughts and help us move forward together!
(from George Scott)
(Contact details on Page 5)
Times (and church) are changing
Church Collections
In these present circumstances, more people might like to consider giving their church collection through a Standing
Order. The forms for these can be found on the church website. Please remember you can make your donation go fur-
ther by signing up for Gift Aid. Some members have been asking how to hand in their offerings during this present cri-
sis. Offerings may be taken to the Treasurer’s office at 191 Station Road, Shotts. Thank you to those who have al-
ready done this.
From June Williams
5 Hello All the officers and girls are staying safe during this unusual time for brigade, church and school. There has been a fun filler provided to the girls each week via twitter and face-book. We thought the parishioners of Calderhead Erskine and Allanton might like to have a go. If you complete the challenge please contact Heather Connelly.
It’s open to all ages, so Good Luck!
Since our last newsletter we have continued to have an excellent response to the NHS hearts appeal. With
the church donating approximately another 50 pairs of hearts on top of the 90 already sent to University
Hospital Wishaw last month. As numbers of hospital admissions for COVID declines, we will continue to
monitor the need for these hearts. However if you have any suggestions for where these hearts might pro-
vide comfort elsewhere, please let your elders know. (from Heather Scott)
In addition to the hearts, many people crocheted crosses which were donated to the Spiritual Centre at University Hos-
pital Wishaw. No doubt they gave comfort to many people who were worried about their loved ones.
CONTACTS LIST
The Minister, Rev Iain Murdoch [email protected], or telephone 07887 595498
George Scott [email protected], or telephone 07747 638874.
Rhona Bell [email protected]
Heather Connelly [email protected]
Margaret Byrne tel. 01501 823736
Heather Scott tel. 07795514766
GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/cepc-covid-response-fund
Calderhead Erskine Parish Church Website https://calderhead-erskine-church.com/#
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On 22nd May this year, The Telegraph reported that: “Using daily data on Google searches for prayer across 95 countries with free and unrestricted access to the internet, Prof Bentzen (associate professor of economics at the University of Copenhagen) found that the in-crease in the number of inquiries for ‘coronavirus prayer’ was a global phenomenon. The surge in search activ-ity appeared to coincide with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) describing the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March, she said. “When WHO declared the Covid-19 a pandemic, search-shares for prayer rose around mid-March for most regions, even for the most secular regions of Northern Europe,” Prof Bentzen said.” We know from the bible that even Jesus prayed frequently, seeking his father’s guidance, strength and com-fort. We all have the same opportunity today, and clearly the Covid pandemic has reminded many people of this. We therefore want to extend support to everyone in a number of different ways. Very shortly, you will be able to access regularly updated prayer points (simple guidance on topics we can all take to God) on the church website and social media. However, for people who want someone to pray with, (perhaps if you’re not confident, have never prayed before, or just welcome the support) please just contacts us and someone will respond to arrange a time to pray together, either 1-2-1 or in a small Group as suits you best. Another option is to let us know of a situation you’d like others to pray for: this can be done confidentially if you wish. Please don’t hesitate - we’d love to hear from you. You can contact us via the website. Alternatively, contact Rev. Murdoch or George using the details pro-vided on page 5.
George Scott
TRAVELLING
I have been in many places, but I've never been in Kahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You
have to be in Kahoots with someone.
I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognises you there.
I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have
made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity
anymore.
I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.
One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps
up the old heart! At my age, I need all the stimuli I can get!
I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country that was in. It's an age thing.
They tell me it is very wet and damp there.
You can do your bit by remembering to send this to at least one unstable person. My job is done!
Life is too short for negative drama and petty things. So, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive
quickly!
From Margaret Byrne
Something to think about....
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Life in Lockdown! As you will all know life in lockdown is hard for all of us. We are in lockdown because in
November 2019 in China there was an outbreak of a virus called the Coronavirus. If you get
it – it would be like getting really bad FLU and it can be scary!
When I was first told about Coronavirus, it was a little bit scary, but not too scary, but
when the Government declared that schools were shutting down it was very scary but it did
not stop me from doing my normal routine when the schools did shut down.
Life in lockdown is not hard or bad. It is actually a good thing because it lets you spend
more time with the people you live with, for example mum or dad or sister or brother! Here
are some things you could do apart from your normal work: play a board game, draw a
picture, watch a DVD or read a book!
Being in lockdown does not mean you cannot go outside at all – you can go out for some
exercise. You can exercise by: cycling, walking or running.
I do miss my family, my friends from school and I miss Girls’ Brigade.
It is OK to be scared, upset or anxious in these very scary and hard times! I hope everyone is
OK.
Bye
(Written by Chloe, aged 9, a Junior at 1
st Shotts G.B.)
Wow, that was great, Chloe, and you’re just 9! Here’s some of the things we’ve been up to.
(I wonder how many stuck to them!)
Try to do something every day you
never normally get time to do. I’m
doing more gardening and have
even had a go at baking.
Take an hour to phone
friends instead of texting.
Try out new baking recipes and walk the dog.
I use my time to pray for people. I take daily exercise with
Tess and use the time and space this gives me to talk to
and listen to the Lord and to notice the gifts of creation.
Spend time with my grandson.
School work for my grandson.
Keep in touch with friends, gardening and baking.
Achieve 3 worthwhile things a day, something for oth-
ers, something that needs to be done and some catching
up.
Do 10 000 steps a day!
Make lists of 5 category of
tasks and try to do some-
thing every day.
Get through my list of tasks and keep
in touch with family and friends.
Keep to a routine and
keep in contact with
family and friends.
Have a list of tasks and try to score off one thing each day.
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Happy memories from working in Hartwood Hospital
by Adam Britton. One of my duties was to wind up the clock every Friday morning. This entailed ascending 94 steps to clock tower; continuing up to the turret was 128 steps in all! A couple of happenings were, when the lift in ward 5 stopped be-tween floors at 7.15am, with 21 elderly ladies on board! Myself and 2 colleagues to the rescue, bodily lifting them out of the top of the lift! Another time a patient managed to stick her head through the bed end and couldn't get it back out. Nurses phoned the engineers who did a hacksaw job to free her, whereupon the old lady clung to me like grim death. I officially finished working in Hartwood on 18th January 1996 and latterly was quite happy to go as, like many another, it broke my heart to see the decline of such a beautiful hospital. Sourced by Maureen Fleming
Adam Britton at Hartwood clock tower.
Over the years I have read lots of
books by many different authors but
probably my favourite has been Jef-
frey Archer.
The first book of his I read was “Kane and Abel”
which is still up there on my all-time list. Over
the years I’ve read most of his books and what
a master storyteller he is. He has written books
on many different topics some in series, some
individual and even a couple of books of short
stories.
However, my favourite and the books I would
like to recommend is a series, seven in all,
called the Clifton Chronicles. These are based
on the life and loves of two main families the
Cliftons and the Barringtons, the ups and
downs, poverty and wealth, industry, and poli-
tics.
It starts out in the 1920s Bristol Docklands
and carries on through the gen-
erations from there to London the
U.S.A and Russia throughout the
war and way beyond.
From the first of the series “Only
Time Will Tell” which I found hard
to put down. From then on I ea-
gerly awaited the next instalment..
My Favourite Author by Tina McLean
CONGRATULATIONS!
Happy Birthday on the 23rd June to Grace Fleming. Hope your have a lovely day.
Mr & Mrs Hunter Steven of Rosehall Road
celebrated their Golden Wedding week-
end on 6/7th June. Many congratula-
tions.
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Elizabeth White’s Pineapple Cakes Pastry 3 oz sugar 6 oz butter 12 oz flour Either buy shortcrust pastry or make as follows:- Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat. Then add the flour and beat. Form a ball of dough then roll out before cutting to line a muffin tray. Bake blind (eg china peas on top of pastry) for 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven. Don’t over-cook - should be just lightly browned. Filling Jar of Pineapple Jam 500g Double Cream (whipped) Icing Sugar flavoured with pineapple juice or colouring When pastries cool, put teaspoon of pineapple jam in bottom. Top with whipped Double Cream (make sure not too soft). Allow a teaspoon of the flavoured icing sugar to run on top of cream. Preferably, eat that day!!! Otherwise, store in an airtight container.
Many thanks to Elizabeth White
for sharing her recipe with us.
Sounds delicious, happy baking!
Bloomers announced in church
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a
chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping
around the house. Bring your husbands.
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the base-ment on Friday afternoon.
Next Thursday there will be try-
outs for the choir. They need all
the help they can get.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm at the First Presbyte-
rian Church. Please use large double door at the side en-
trance.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their girdles for the pan-cake breakfast next Sunday. For those who have children and don’t
know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Don’t let worry kill you off—let the church help. The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan
last Sunday: ‘I Upped My Pledge—Up Yours.’
Miss Charlene Mason sang, ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvi-
ous pleasure to the congregation.
Sourced by Rev Iain Murdoch
Sourced by Margaret Byrne
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Shotts Calderhead Erskine Parish Church of Scotland registered charity number SC006538
